Most of the people left the room soon after. With Tang Xinyun’s mother still feeling quite weak from all her ordeals, most thought it best to leave her in peace.
Tang Jing and his brother were one of the last ones to leave after speaking a bit with Bai Yunfei. Left with nothing else to do, Tang Xinyun and Bai Yunfei decided to take a small walk shoulder-to-shoulder outside in the courtyards.
Things were looking much better for Tang Xinyun now that her mother was on the road to recovery. Smiling widely so that the dimples on her face would show, she spoke excitedly with Bai Yunfei. Every so often, Bai Yunfei would find it hard to restrain himself at the sight of her and stole away a few kisses.
“Now that I think about it, why haven’t I seen that kid Tang Ming?”
Bai Yunfei had been in Tang Manor for a while now, but he had yet to see the youngest son of the Tang.
“Xiao Ming? He went with my third aunt back to their home to pay a visit.”
“Ah…how strong is he now? I remember he was a genius, has he become a Soul Exalt yet?”
“He’s a Mid-stage Soul Exalt now. He’s changed since that trip three years ago. Father has high hopes for him and his hard work. Xiao Ming’s talent is something father says is the best out of our generation…” Tang Xinyun spoke. “Oh, but with third brother back and reaching the Soul King realm faster than eldest brother, he’s most likely the strongest if Xiao Ming doesn’t become a Soul King soon.”
“Your third brother is amazing. It’s all because of him that we managed to save you.” Bai Yunfei nodded.
It was true. If not for Tang Wei, Tang Xinyun truly would’ve been kidnapped by Mo Ni and his group. And even if Bai Yunfei got there faster than he did, the enemy would’ve had the advantage. The rescue operation would therefore be a great deal worse than what it was.
Bai Yunfei had heard what Tang Wei managed to do. Not only did he manage to wrestle Tang Xinyun away from their hands, he killed two other Soul Kings equal in strength to him, and then managed to escape the encirclement around him. None of that would’ve been possible if Tang Wei wasn’t as amazing as he was.
The courtyard was primarily silent barring the conversation between Bai Yunfei and Tang Xinyun. Enjoying each other’s company, the two were only disturbed when a servant came running into the courtyard to relay a message.
“Fourth miss, master Bai, lord Xuanyuan Jie is requesting an audience with master Bai.”
“Xuanyuan Jie? What does he want with me?”
Surprised, Bai Yunfei quirked an eyebrow. He hadn’t really talked with Xuanyuan Jie since the auction house the last time he was in Mo City.
“What else?” Tang Xinyun laughed, “To make friends with you! You’re a Mid-stage Soul King now. At your age, you’re the person most people want to get to know! People all over Mo City will definitely come to pay a visit sooner or later.”
“Oh? Am I like a steamed bun on a winter day now?” He wrinkled his nose, “Well, since we know each other, let’s go meet him. He’s an outstanding figure himself, it’s not a half-bad idea to meet up.”
……
Tang Xinyun’s prediction came to be true. Not even half a day after Bai Yunfei’s chat with Xuanyuan Jie, more and more people began to visit Tang Manor to meet him. Most of them were somebodies in Mo City, but even Soul Kings came forward to greet him.
It was a first for Bai Yunfei to see the mighty Soul Kings treated him—someone clearly very young in comparison—with an equal amount of respect they had for any other Soul King. People talked about being able to ‘stand at the top’, but it was only now that Bai Yunfei really knew what that was like.
That didn’t mean to say Bai Yunfei felt drunk off this feeling. He knew better than to grow arrogant over this. These people were being polite in their arrival and gift-offering to him. To those, Bai Yunfei wished to be humble and chose to refuse the gifts. Owing favors to others wouldn’t do well for him, after all.
He refused even those offering generous payments for a soul armament of his crafting, though politely and tacitly. He wasn’t so free now he could craft a soul armament here and there as he pleased.
The visits came to a trickle two days later. Had it not been how tall the gates to Tang Manor was, the river of people surely would’ve continued for even longer…
And then late afternoon of the following day, Tang Xinyun’s father returned….
……
It was with great shock that Tang Qianlei met with Bai Yunfei. He had heard the rumors of Bai Yunfei’s power up, but to see it still was another thing entirely. Even now, he could hardly believe his eyes.
How in the world had Bai Yunfei become a Mid-stage Soul King!?
A multitude of people were gathered in the main halls now aside from those who had to get back to their daily jobs of management and overseeing of others. But those who at the very least held a position of power within the Tang were gathered there. And since Tang Qianlei was back, Tang Zhan chose not to interfere with the familial matters and returned to his secluded training once again.
From when Tang Xinyun was kidnapped to now, the entire family expended a great deal of energy towards the investigation of Huang Shan and the others. Investigations, however, ended with a great deal of disappointment for the family. Of every detail they found so far, nothing was linking them back to anything substantial.
Bai Yunfei was for the most part quiet while Tang Qianlei held the discussion. Aside from answering whenever the latter asked a question—primarily about the battle between him and Mo Ni during the battle for the pills—and rarely interjected anytime afterward. He just sat there in silence to allow Tang Qianlei to summarize everything.
When the discussion was reaching an end on what business the Tang had yet to finish, Bai Yunfei started to speak up then.
“Lord Tang, this humble junior wishes to discuss a matter.”
“Oh?” Tang Qianlei smiled, “Speak then.”
“Lord Tang, did you perchance visit the Swallow Province to cancel Xinyun’s betrothment?”
“Oh? So you know about it already?”
Bai Yunfei nodded.
“There were a few delays on the way. I hadn’t even reached Swallow City when I learned of little Yun’s kidnapping and turned back. The betrothment, as it stands…has not yet been concluded.”
The stiff look on Bai Yunfei’s face sparked a small smile onto Tang Qianlei’s lips, “Bai Yunfei, do you have feelings for little Yun?”
“Eh?”
Bai Yunfei jerked his head, he had been caught off-guard by the question. He recomposed himself and nodded his head shortly afterward. “I do. Sincerely and completely. I’ve decided that I want no other wife but her in my entire life!”
“Yunfei…” Having been silent the entire time up to this point, Tang Xinyun went immediately scarlet in the face. Even the tip of her ears were burning red as she sat there next to him, and when she saw the amused smirks of her two older brothers, she bent her head down to face the wooden table in front of her out of embarrassment.
The die had been cast, and Bai Yunfei was determined to see things through. Standing upright, he bowed as respectfully as he could towards Tang Qianlei to make his request.
“My lord, this junior presents himself today in front of the house of Tang with the idea of marriage in mind. Since my lord has asked, then please allow this junior to answer in earnest.
“Today, I seek the approval of lord Tang and every gentleman and lady here today for Xinyun’s hand in marriage. For this life and the next, I will live faithfully for her and her alone!”
His proclamation brought about a huge clamor in the halls as everyone began to react to this unexpected piece of news.
Still stooped over the wooden table, Tang Xinyun was starting to tremble now. Her entire face was as red as a tomato, but not a single person could deny seeing the amount of happiness and emotion on her face.
Like the others in the hall, Tang Qianlei held a surprised expression on his face. Though he knew of their relationship, he hadn’t figured Bai Yunfei to propose marriage today at this juncture.
His eyes drew sharp as if to size up and measure Bai Yunfei’s entire person.
“Oh?” He stated. “Do you speak the truth?”
“I do.” Bai Yunfei declared, he himself staring unflinchingly back at the older male.
Tang Qianlei said nothing. Seconds went by as he gazed at Bai Yunfei. The entire hall felt as though a cold gust of wind was blowing through it with how solemn the atmosphere became.
Then all at once, the atmosphere melted when Tang Qianlei broke into laughter.
“Haha!! Very well! How brave of you, how brave indeed!!
“You wish to marry little Yun? Then so be it!” He smiled.
“But first….” The smile gained a steel edge to them, “you must do one thing for us.”